Pro-Russia rebels declare victory in self-rule ballot

Pro-Russia rebels have declared a resounding victory in a referendum on self-rule for eastern Ukraine, further increasing tensions in the region. Organisers say nearly 90 per cent have voted in favour, with some insisting the result means independence, and others pointing to an eventual union with Russia. However, the European Union has already declared the vote illegal, and some Western leaders have threatened more sanctions against Moscow.

Transcript

icon-plusicon-minus

ELEANOR HALL: To the increasing tensions in Ukraine now, where Pro-Russian rebels have declared a resounding victory in the referendum on self-rule for eastern Ukraine.

Even before the polls closed, one separatist leader said the region would form its own state bodies and military immediately after the referendum.

But the European Union has already declared the vote illegal and some Western leaders have threatened more sanctions against Moscow.

Barney Porter has the latest.

BARNEY PORTER: The organisers of the ballot in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine are quite clear. They say out of a turnout of around three quarters of the electorate, 89 per cent backed independence from Ukraine while 10 per cent were against.

Roman Lyagin is the head of the Donetsk Electoral Commission:

ROMAN LYAGIN (translation): We know of course that this vote won't be recognised internationally by European organisations, by the government, the whole world. But we wanted our voices to be heard. That's why we held this vote.

BARNEY PORTER: And it seems the 'yes' supporters had several reasons for voting the way they did.

VOTER 1: I don't want to live with those bandits in Kiev, now that so much blood has been spilt, but I don't want independence.

VOTER 2: I think we will be in Russia. Whether Russia wants us? That's more complicated.

BARNEY PORTER: But of those who oppose the proposal, not everyone bothered to turn out to register a 'no' vote. Among them was 26-year-old Michael. He explained to the BBC why he didn't lodge a ballot:

MICHAEL: First reason: it's illegal, against the law of Ukraine and I still live in Ukraine. Another reason is: Ukraine will be strong if it's united, I guess, like it was. I don't count Crimea, of course. And any referendums will split the country even more.

BARNEY PORTER: Reaction from the authorities in Kiev has been predictable. Sergei Pashinski is with the Ukrainian Presidential Administration:

SERGEI PASHINSKI (translation): I would like to underline one more time, it's not a referendum. It is a desultory attempt by terrorists, bandits and killers to cover their activity by having citizens vote in Luhansk and Donetsk.

Well, we knew both what the results would be and how it would be interpreted before anybody cast a vote today.

We knew that there was going to be an overwhelming majority for because, regardless of how people, that's how the numbers are going to be reported out. And we also knew that the US, Europe, the government in Kiev weren't going to recognise it.

So all of this is playing out largely how it could have been and was expected by many.

BARNEY PORTER: Andy Hunder is from the Ukrainian Institute in London:

ANDY HUNDER: I think in terms of the numbers, I think no surprise there. I mean, the figure of 89 per cent was actually intercepted in calls by the secret services two days ago and they recommended to use this figure.

So I think, you know, this isn't representative of the whole region and I think it's really important now to understand, you know, what next.

BARNEY PORTER: And what is next? The European Union has declared the referendum illegal and has taken a first step towards extending sanctions to companies as well as people linked to Moscow's earlier annexation of the Crimea region.

Another potential flashpoint is Ukrainian presidential elections scheduled for May 25th.

However, Lincoln Mitchell is wary of the short-term ramifications.

LINCOLN MITCHELL: This does mean that the tension between the separatists in the eastern Ukraine with the backing of Russia and the government in Kiev is at, I think, a higher level of conflict than before.

So this is not good news and this does not bode well for the potential of a peaceful settlement to this situation.